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Building Innovation 2019 Opening Keynote to Talk about Resilience in NYC

Eric Wilson, Deputy Director at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Resiliency, will serve as the Opening Keynote Speaker at Building Innovation 2019: The National Institute of Building Sciences Seventh Annual Conference and Expo. Addressing the Conference theme of Optimizing for Tomorrow, Wilson will speak during the Opening Keynote Breakfast on Tuesday, January 8, 8:00 am – 10:00 am ET, in Washington, D.C.

New York City’s diverse building stock of over one million buildings is highly vulnerable to the hazards of a changing climate, including tidal and storm flooding in coastal neighborhoods, but also extreme heat, heavy precipitation and groundwater table rise throughout the city. While New York City’s Building Code facilitates physical resilience in new construction, the majority of the city’s buildings are approaching 100 years old. In his remarks, Wilson will share the context of New York City’s climate vulnerabilities, the work he and his colleagues in the Office of Resiliency are doing to address them and challenges in preparing buildings for coming climate hazards.

The Mayor’s Office of Resiliency leads the city’s efforts to ensure all New Yorkers stay safe and thrive in the face of the multiple and compound impacts of climate change today and into the future through science-based analysis, policy development, capacity building and robust engagement.

As a Deputy Director with the Office of Resiliency, Wilson manages climate adaptation programs in land use and buildings. He oversees a team of architects, urban planners and policy experts working to identify fiscally responsible and socially equitable approaches to the climate challenges facing New York City’s building stock and neighborhoods. Wilson and his team coordinate with individuals, households, communities and local, state and federal agencies to get ready for New York City’s climate vulnerabilities, including sea level rise, extreme heat and powerful storms.

Wilson joined the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency from 100 Resilient Cities, a program of the Rockefeller Foundation, where he managed relationships with 11 cities and staffed special initiatives such as the ReImagine Puerto Rico Commission following Hurricane Maria. His 15+ year career spans several New York City agencies, including the Department of Housing Preservation & Development, the Economic Development Corporation and the Department of City Planning. Wilson also has worked in the United Arab Emirates and Detroit. 

Originally from Littleton, Colorado, Wilson holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Environmental Conservation and Plant Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In addition to Wilson’s opening keynote, Building Innovation 2019 will include 18 different educational sessions featuring 38 presentations by 60 expert speakers. The National Institute of Building Sciences is an American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Provider and an International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

On Monday, participants will get a first-hand view of how the Institute works to improve the built environment and find ways to get involved in the process by attending leadership meetings. Other opportunities to hear from industry leaders include the Wednesday FEDCon® Keynote Breakfast and the Wednesday Plenary Keynote Luncheon. The Institute also will recognize industry leaders with Institute awards and Beyond Green™ Awards during the Institute’s Annual Reception and Awards Banquet Wednesday evening.

About NIBS

National Institute of Building Sciences brings together labor and consumer interests, government representatives, regulatory agencies, and members of the building industry to identify and resolve problems and potential problems around the construction of housing and commercial buildings. NIBS is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization. It was established by Congress in 1974. For more information, visit nibs.org or follow @bldgsciences on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact
Christine Cube
Social Media & Public Relations Manager
(202) 289-7800
ccube@nibs.org
Topics
Resilience/Risk Management
Building Innovation